Mark Schauer, other Democrats speak at rally to 'Save Michigan's Public Schools'

LANSING -- A rally in support of increased public education funding Wednesday drew more than 200 spectators to the Capitol lawn and a Democratic candidate for governor to the Capitol steps for his first public speech since announcing he was seeking the office.

Former Congressman Mark Schauer was the first speaker at the "Save Michigan's Public Schools Rally For Public Education", an event organized by a group of public school teachers administrators and parents calling itself "Save Michigan's Public Schools."

Schauer took the podium to criticize Gov. Rick Snyder's education policy, including the "skunk works" project to develop low-cost online schools and cuts to K-12 education funds to help balance the state's budget.

"Under Rick Snyder and the Republicans, teacher cuts, larger class sizes, eliminated programs, high school closures, outright school bankruptcy, are coming to a community and a school district near you," Schauer told the crowd.

Schauer was the first of a number of Democratic speakers at the rally, as Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer of East Lansing, Rep. Stacy Erwin Oakes (D-Saginaw) and Rep. Ellen Cogen Lipton (D-Huntington Woods) all took the podium to address the crowd.

Attendees ranged from school-age children to current and retired educators, as well as two supporters dressed as a skunk and a pig and one person wearing an oversized replica of Gov. Snyder's head. All three carried signs indicating their support for the rally.

A primary topic was a proposal pending in the state Senate to allow for the dissolution of Buena Vista and Inkster public schools. Whitmer said after her speech that the Senate could vote on House bills 4813 and 4815 late Wednesday or on Thursday before the legislature adjourns for its summer break.

Erwin Oakes, whose district includes Buena Vista Township, said in her speech that the proposal "does not address the other 50 schools that are operating in a deficit" after it was revised prior to being approved by the House last week. "That is egregious, and we need to address the real issue," Erwin Oakes said. "As a former educator, as one who stood in the classroom, I know that all the problems that a student shows up with did not happen in that classroom."

A number of the spectators in attendance carried signs addressing comments made during the floor debate on House Bill 4813 by Rep. Lisa Lyons (R-Alto). Lyons made remarks interpreted by some as referring to teachers in the Buena Vista and Inkster districts as "pigs" and "hogs," although Lyons issued a statement Monday saying her remarks were directed at "special interest groups" behind proposed amendments to the proposal.

Stephanie Keiles, a co-organizer of the event, said that the rally grew out of meetings Save Michigan's Public Schools had last winter, but was not formally organized until last month.

"We are here today to call for a respectful renewal of public education," Keiles said. "We need to take education back from those who look at children and see dollar signs and test scores, and put it back in the hands of those who look at children and see learners and human beings."